Reviewers Spotlight - March 2012: Valentinka and DeliciousSurprise!

Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a


Hello there, and welcome to our very first month long Reviewers Spotlight! How this is going to work is that you have all month long to ask our wonderful reviewers questions. They'll answer when they can, and you can keep asking until the end of the month!

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DeliciousSurprise is a lady that you might recognize if you've been around a while. She hasn't been as active in recent months but I assure you, she's definitely still around. In addition to becoming an awesome mentor, she's also given us a bunch of pretty sweet video reviews as well.

"I've been reviewing at Eden for what feels like forever--though it's only been two years. Even so--two years?

I first found out about Eden from a girl (that's how all of my problems start, I think) in one of my classes in college. I had a huge crush on her, and one day a friend and I were teasing her about a box she'd picked up from the mail room that she was guarding. We asked her what was in it, and she told us that it was a product for review, and gave us each her affiliate flyer. The rest, as they say, is history. She doesn't review on here, now, but she got me hooked in.

My advice for people first starting out: join the mentor program. My first few reviews were seriously awful because I didn't know what was important to put in there, and with the mentor program you get someone kind of guiding you through the, "You might want to put this in," stages.

I like long walks by the beach and piña coladas. I hate getting caught in the rain because I don't like wet trousers. In my off-time, I'm a published photographer moonlighting as a customer service person: that's right, be nice to your customer service reps because you might be screaming at ME when you call up."


****

Valentinka hasn't been here as long as some reviewers, and she doesn't have as many reviews as some other reviewers, but all of her reviews are worth reading all the same. She's dedicated to making sure that she writes the best reviews she can, and doesn't let being in a different country get in her way!

"Eden Fantasys community is already quite diverse and scattered all over the world map. But I’m probably one of those people being slightly further away than the majority. Writing my reviews from the distant Siberia, I try to keep up being a living proof that no matter where we are and who we are, when it comes to love, our body, our worries and feelings, we are not so different after all.

At the beginning of 2011, I was introduced to Eden Fantasys by one of my friends. She presented it to me as a reliable US sex-shop with reasonably priced items and, what’s more important, the one that would actually ship to Russia. She then offered me to order something for myself and share the shipping cost. I agreed.

At that point I wasn’t thinking about joining the review program. I was simply excited by a chance to improve my sex life and try something new. But my first toy happened to be a disappointment and, as a student, I was a bit short on cash and couldn’t afford too much experimenting. I didn’t want to give up, though, and suddenly Review Program and EdenPoints Program seemed like a great chance to continue getting new toys. Soon I discovered how great EF really is and how amazing is the community. Spending time on Eden Fantasys became not only sort of a “beneficial cooperation”, but a hobby and even more.

When I just started, it wasn’t easy for me to write. My English has always been quite good, but writing is a challenge by itself and not being a native speaker doesn’t help. I also had that fear of being misunderstood or saying something that would turn out to be offensive in another culture. But as I wrote more I gained more confidence.

The most difficult thing was to figure out my writing style and what I should actually include in my reviews. My first review wasn’t very detailed – I realized that after getting some feedback and reading more of other contributors’ reviews. So my main advice to those just starting would be this: read as many extremely useful and useful reviews as you can! Analyze them; think about things you would change, how you would arrange information, what techniques you’d like to adopt, etc.

Also, it might be a really good idea to join Mentor Program. My mentor, Tori Rebel, taught me to write long and very detailed reviews. She always said that you should describe a product the way that allows “seeing” and “feeling” it without any actual contact. I have followed her advice ever since.

I can’t boast of having written hundreds of reviews: my number is rather modest. But I’m always trying to do my best at describing products and my experience with them. It is still quite challenging sometimes, especially when it comes to a type of product I’ve never reviewed before. For instance, in my mind, I have a template for describing lingerie and condoms; I pretty much know what to say about vibes. But reviewing body products is a whole different story and still something to work on.

What’s more, for me, reviewing is always about learning new things, sharing opinions, finding new ways to describe items, reaching over boundaries, helping others. And I would recommend those new reviewers to get involved in the community and ask questions. Don’t be afraid, there are lots of great people here who are always willing to help – probably, the most amazing thing about the whole Program."


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Make sure that you take this opportunity to ask both Valentinka and DeliciousSurprise any of those burning questions you've been wanting to ask, but haven't had a chance to ask them yet! You've only got until the end of March, so get to it!
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03/01/2012
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Contributor: GingerAnn GingerAnn
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03/01/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I'd like to ask both of you where you see yourself in 5 years? 10?
03/01/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Hey all! I hope you've not forgotten about me during my brief absence.

Realistically, in five years, I'll probably be doing something similar to what I do now: listening to people and solving their problems (though, hopefully I'll be getting yelled at less.) I'll probably be in the middle of grad school and i'll be ripping my hair out, one by one.

Ten years from now? That's harder; I guess it would depend on which way the wind blows me down this crazy path. I might be teaching, or I might be doing something totally different in ecommerce. I might be a stay at home mom. Ten years is a long time; I'm still working on surviving until Friday!
03/02/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Hey-hey! So honored to be here and so embarrassed by my obvious lack of brevity

Thanks for your question, Sam! It's actually a tough one for me. I got my Specialist degree (something between Bachelor's and Master's... we used to have it until recently when Russia joined the Bologna process) last summer and still can't figure out what I want to do with my life. I'm currently working towards my Master's, looking for a decent part-time job and hastily applying for international internship programs.

So... I guess, the future is pretty obscure for me. The only thing I'm 100% sure is that I see myself as a family person and as a mother in 5-10 years from now. I really hope I'll solve all my problems and be mature enough by then.
03/03/2012
Contributor: oldman oldman
I don't have any question just a comment that it is very nice to learn more about these reviewers. I hope this continues as a monthly feature. Thanks.
03/03/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by oldman
I don't have any question just a comment that it is very nice to learn more about these reviewers. I hope this continues as a monthly feature. Thanks.
I'm with Oldman, I think it's awesome to have it as a month-long thing instead of a quick chat that not everyone can go to.

My question is to Valentinka: worst toy you've ever tried and why?
03/04/2012
Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
I'd like to ask both reviewers what was your favorite item to review (it didn't have to be your favorite toy and it could have been something you hated but you loved writing the review for it).

Secondly - what is your biggest challenge in writing your reviews? Time? Work? Something I hear that's called "real life" (I thought that just came in a box of cereal).
03/04/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
I'd like to ask both reviewers what was your favorite item to review (it didn't have to be your favorite toy and it could have been something you hated but you loved writing the review for it).

Secondly - what is your biggest challenge ... more
I'd probably say it was the Goodfella review. I really like the Q/A style of review writing, because that's kind of how I mentally appraise toys before I write the reviews, so I always have fun writing them as such. I wish I could write them that way more often, but I think people would get bored of it!



Biggest challenge in writing reviews, now, is definitely time. I work a 9-5 (well, actually it's a 6:30-3, but...) with a two hour commute each way, so when I get home I have two hours to eat dinner and do anything else I want to do before I've got to be in bed--doesn't leave much time for writing reviews!
03/04/2012
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
Awesome to see you both in the "spotlight". I haven't been around Eden for a very long time in terms of reviewing. But I have noticed some personal changes in myself since reviewing.

So I'd like to ask you both the following;

When you think back to before you found Eden, and before you started writing reviews, then fast forward to right now could would you say that you have noticed some changes in yourself as a person in real life?

It's a hard question to ask in the way I think of it vs. typing it. Basically before Eden and reviewing here, I didn't do any type of blogging/reviewing etc. But since I have been reviewing I have noticed many changes in myself, most significantly is higher confidence in myself. Would either of you say you have found any benefits/changes to yourselves in this or a similar way?

Hope that makes sense
03/04/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Quote:
Originally posted by DeliciousSurprise
I'm with Oldman, I think it's awesome to have it as a month-long thing instead of a quick chat that not everyone can go to.

My question is to Valentinka: worst toy you've ever tried and why?
First of all, I totally agree with Oldman and you! It's great to be able to make it and not depend on time zones or anything

Thanks for your question... I still consider myself rather new to toys. I've never had any outstandingly horrible experiences, just some disappointments, but this cock-ring is probably the worst so far. It did nothing for us, was bulky, sticky, smelled badly... What's more, my boyfriend absolutely hated it. When we just took it out of package, he said, "Why is it so weird? It is used or something?" I'm more on a neutral side, though That's bad, but I sometimes secretly blame myself (not the toy) if something doesn't work for me...
03/05/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
I'd like to ask both reviewers what was your favorite item to review (it didn't have to be your favorite toy and it could have been something you hated but you loved writing the review for it).

Secondly - what is your biggest challenge ... more
Great to have you here, Hot 'N Sexy!

I love writing lingerie reviews the most and one of my latest reviews happened to be my favorite so far. It is a review of floral lace bodystocking by Fantasy Lingerie and I really enjoyed picking all those possible ways to wear this item. It also turned out to be quite different from the picture, so I felt really good about warning my readers and showing them the real look.

The biggest obstacle is definitely time, especially now when our 2,5 year long relationship finally evolved to us moving in together As long as we both study but he also works a lot, I'm the one who's mostly in charge of the house now. It's very time-consuming!
03/05/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Quote:
Originally posted by Cookie Monster Mike
Awesome to see you both in the "spotlight". I haven't been around Eden for a very long time in terms of reviewing. But I have noticed some personal changes in myself since reviewing.

So I'd like to ask you both the ... more
Hey Mike! Totally makes sense

Sometimes I catch myself looking at some new things and assessing them as if they were items for reviewing. It's like a template appears in my head and I start listing pros and cons Really, I'm not joking.

As for some serious things... I'm definitely more confident in myself and more happy with my life now that I have a hobby (which is also something I turned out to be rather good at). I also sort of overcame my shyness and it's now much easier for me to express my thoughts both in Internet and in the real world.
03/05/2012
Contributor: Blonde Blonde
Valentinka, I'm very happy to see you here! My congratulations! I think you really deserve it, cause you are really wonderfull reviewer and interesting person!

DeliciousSurprise, congratulations for you too!!!

And my question for both of you is, did Eden made you try something you thought you would never do before?
03/05/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
03/05/2012
Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
ROFLOL - sorry Sam and I know you didn't mean it this way...but for Art & I...pizza is a codeword for sex.
03/05/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Cookie Monster Mike
Awesome to see you both in the "spotlight". I haven't been around Eden for a very long time in terms of reviewing. But I have noticed some personal changes in myself since reviewing.

So I'd like to ask you both the ... more
Hi Mike!

I mean, the main change is that I'm healthier--no jelly, very little plastic, no lubes with glycerine (who knew that was what was giving me UTIs?). I find that the relationships into which I enter are already very comfortable with toys and their use, but Eden allows me to go into virtually any scenario with the base knowledge of, "Oh, okay, this is what I have to do to keep it safe and fun," because there are so many people here with different experiences that if I DO have a question, I can always ask someone--which makes sex inherently better.

I hope I answered your question! I kind of wandered off topic there.
03/05/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Blonde
Valentinka, I'm very happy to see you here! My congratulations! I think you really deserve it, cause you are really wonderfull reviewer and interesting person!

DeliciousSurprise, congratulations for you too!!!

And my question for ... more
Hey Blonde! Thanks I kind of feel like I'm one of those reviewers I always hoped to be now, ha!

YES, Eden totally made me do something I thought I'd never do: rabbit vibrators. After a bad experience with a jackrabbit toy back in the day, I was pretty sure that (A.) rabbit vibrators would never work for me and (B.) that I would never try another. Thanks to eden, I'm happily hopping along.
03/05/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
Regular old cheese pizza--but if I'm loading up on the toppings, extra mozzarella, cheddar and grilled chicken. Mmmm.
03/05/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by DeliciousSurprise
Regular old cheese pizza--but if I'm loading up on the toppings, extra mozzarella, cheddar and grilled chicken. Mmmm.
Mmm, that does sound delicious!
03/06/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
How many languages do you each speak?
03/06/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
Too many! But Hawaiian pizza and Pepperoni are first coming to mind
03/06/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Quote:
Originally posted by Blonde
Valentinka, I'm very happy to see you here! My congratulations! I think you really deserve it, cause you are really wonderfull reviewer and interesting person!

DeliciousSurprise, congratulations for you too!!!

And my question for ... more
Thanks a lot, Blonde, you are so sweet!

Yes, totally! I've never thought I would use any BDSM products, but I did order some light ones and I liked them Eden Fantasys definitely makes people more open-minded.
03/06/2012
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
How many languages do you each speak?
Russian and English. I also used to study German and Spanish for couple of years, but don't remember much now, unfortunately... Oh, and I'm kind of struggling with Czech now Can't find enough time for it, though.
03/06/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
How many languages do you each speak?
I speak English, and enough Spanish to get a message across. I can say a few sentences in Russian, and a few words in Italian, French and Portuguese (like, you know, "Help," "Food," "Bathroom," "Emergency," "How much do these sneakers cost?").

Greek and Latin are on my to-learn list, though.
03/07/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Valentinka
Russian and English. I also used to study German and Spanish for couple of years, but don't remember much now, unfortunately... Oh, and I'm kind of struggling with Czech now Can't find enough time for it, though.
I have an old friend who moved to Germany, married a Russian woman, and is now working somewhere else that's requiring him to learn yet another language. I don't know how those of you who speak so many languages well can do it!
03/07/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by DeliciousSurprise
I speak English, and enough Spanish to get a message across. I can say a few sentences in Russian, and a few words in Italian, French and Portuguese (like, you know, "Help," "Food," "Bathroom," "Emergency," ... more
A long time ago in 3rd grade, we started learning Greek. Then I switched schools.

It's good to know a few of those important phrases. One never knows when a shoe emergency will strike on foreign soil!
03/07/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
What kinds of things are you both really interested in seeing the site carry?
03/07/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
A long time ago in 3rd grade, we started learning Greek. Then I switched schools.

It's good to know a few of those important phrases. One never knows when a shoe emergency will strike on foreign soil!
Exactly! It's important to get prices in other places!
03/12/2012
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
What kinds of things are you both really interested in seeing the site carry?
I know I'm in the gross minority here, but I don't love that the big focus now is on lingerie! I want sex toys, I want dildos, I want vibrators, I want all kinds of stuff that makes me orgasm. I mean, the body stuff is nice, but I'm just not into the clothes!

I understand that a lot of people want it, and I don't think we should stop carrying it--and I do love that we're finally getting manjamas and other less sexy sleepwear, but it's just not for me.

I'd like to see a bigger variety of hand blown glass. I NEED more stone. I want more metal.
03/12/2012